On/Off switch for built-in 802.11b

[ArtemK]

I was working on my 185A5 over the weekend and had to take it apart and put it together couple times. (If you have questions on how to do it - let me know, I can now do it with my eyes closed :) Anyway, looks like while putting it together the first time I broke a little internal switch to turn 802.11b card on and off. I don't think that utility from Vpr's web site actually can turn the card on/off.

Does anybody have any expirience with situation like this? The construction of the switch itself is unbelievably weak... Internal card did not have good reception but still I'd rather use it insted of PCMCIA...

Let me know.

[Ioman]

I would love to see if anyone can figure out a way to replace the internal card with maybe a newer 802.11G card. I know that a couple people talked about the possibility of doing this. I would like to know more about it. I agree, I would prefer to use the internal NIC instead of the PCMCIA slot.

[Angus]

I've been reading in various WiFi forums and can share what I know from those channels, and my own limited experience with the 200A5...

First of all, the card will be replaceable with a G card. Most notebooks right now with internal cards all share the same "mini PCI" form factor. The majority also seem to share the same antenna mini connectors (tiny little jacks on the card). Now when I opened up my first 200A5 I took the network card right out, fiddled with it, gave it a once-over and put it back in there no problem.

If you want to attempt replacing your card TODAY your best bet is to buy a G card for a desktop computer. If you look at these cards the PCI card that goes into your motherboard has attached to it, viola, a mini PCI wifi card. They're sorta piggybacked on there. I've read a bunch of reports of people doing this with A cards, and some with different brands of B cards, with Apples, Dells, IBMs, etc. So there's a really good chance it would work.

As for me, well I'm buying a G access point one of these days in the next week or so, but I plan to go with the internal B card for the time being. After that I may try the G conversion since I really don't want to eat up my PCMCIA slot for this sort of thing. Then again, what else would I use it for?

[Angus]

Bah, double post. My bad.

[Ioman]

Originally posted by Angus
I've been reading in various WiFi forums and can share what I know from those channels, and my own limited experience with the 200A5...

First of all, the card will be replaceable with a G card. Most notebooks right now with internal cards all share the same "mini PCI" form factor. The majority also seem to share the same antenna mini connectors (tiny little jacks on the card). Now when I opened up my first 200A5 I took the network card right out, fiddled with it, gave it a once-over and put it back in there no problem.

If you want to attempt replacing your card TODAY your best bet is to buy a G card for a desktop computer. If you look at these cards the PCI card that goes into your motherboard has attached to it, viola, a mini PCI wifi card. They're sorta piggybacked on there. I've read a bunch of reports of people doing this with A cards, and some with different brands of B cards, with Apples, Dells, IBMs, etc. So there's a really good chance it would work.

As for me, well I'm buying a G access point one of these days in the next week or so, but I plan to go with the internal B card for the time being. After that I may try the G conversion since I really don't want to eat up my PCMCIA slot for this sort of thing. Then again, what else would I use it for?

Thanks for the info Angus. Once I get my system back from Best Buy, I am going to open it up and take a look. I assume you will have to solder the antennae to the card? I would be worried about doing that.

BTW, I will be getting a wireless access point soon too, I have been looking into DLink brand, what do you know about them?

[Angus]

Originally posted by Ioman


Thanks for the info Angus. Once I get my system back from Best Buy, I am going to open it up and take a look. I assume you will have to solder the antennae to the card? I would be worried about doing that.

BTW, I will be getting a wireless access point soon too, I have been looking into DLink brand, what do you know about them?

Nah dude, the antenna connections are these itty bitty L connectors on the ends of the two wires from your antenna. When you open the little hatch you'll see them. The card itself has two little posts (and I mean TINY) that these connectors attach to.

You just use your fingernail to disconnect them, pop out the card by spreading two spring-clips on either side, pull the card out, put the G card in that you got off your desktop G NIC, reconnect your antenna plugs, and go.

That's the theory anyways.... YMMV

** insert disclaimer here **

[ArtemK]

XP pro people - after the upgrade (especially the upgrade on a clean drive) do you still need to use wireless on/off switch on the side?

I am still trying to bypass it, to turn it on/off with some kind of software...

[sunshine]

ArtemK:

I assume you have to first remove the keyboard to open the laptop. I see 3 tabs on the top of the kb. Do you push these up and then pull the kb out? I pushed these tabs in and nothing gives. I don't want to pull to hard on the kb in fear of breaking it.

[ArtemK]

Oh, during last sunday I disassembled it probably 5 times - you are right, push the tabs, pull the keyboard out, there are two screws underneath + all the screws on the bottom.

[sonoronos]

Alright, assuming that I've taken out the keyboard, how do you put it back in? I can't just push down with the keyboard.

I've tried opening up the computer and moving the clips back with my fingers, but while the keyboard goes in, there's no way for me to screw in the two screws under the keyboard!

How do I do this!??

[sunshine]

Originally posted by sonoronos
Alright, assuming that I've taken out the keyboard, how do you put it back in? I can't just push down with the keyboard.

I've tried opening up the computer and moving the clips back with my fingers, but while the keyboard goes in, there's no way for me to screw in the two screws under the keyboard!

How do I do this!??

I used a thin piece of plastic as a wedge. A packaging for duracell batteries is what I used if you want to be specific. With the plastic push up the tabs and then at the same time push the kb down. Make sure the plastic is thin and not too hard.

[sonoronos]

Your tip helped out completely. I took an energizer battery pack and used the thin plastic (after cleaning the paper off of it to make it thinner) and the keyboard went in without a fuss. Need to buy you a drink sometime. Cheers.

[seanpj]

To: ArtemK

Hi,
I found the 185A5 at the BB website for some $1299.-. I would like to buy it, but my concern is the fan location. I can't see it on the pictures. IS IT ON THE BOTTOM? My last notebook would overheat on any soft surface because the fan and exhaust holes were located just there. Thenks for help. Sean

[ArtemK]

I will take a look as soon as I get home.

Artem.

[Angus]

The van vents out the left side of the notebook near the rear corner. The fan grill can be seen directly behind the two firewire ports. The bottom gets very hot in the front left because of the harddrive being there, and the magnesium bottom, but it's just cool enough to not really be a problem. If you're wearing pants you won't feel a thing.